Volunteers
Mountain Patrol Host and Guest Services Host Volunteer Program 2025/2026
We are thrilled to express our appreciation for your interest in our ongoing Purgatory
Volunteer Program for the 2025/2026 Winter Season.
We are excited to share the details & benefits to ensure this program is successful for
our resort, our guests, and most of all, YOU!
Host program overview
The Volunteer Host program at Purgatory Resort is a fun and rewarding
experience. Volunteer hosts play an important role in our guests’ experience. A
Host’s smile goes a long way with guest interaction by helping our guests have a
positive and safe experience at Purgatory. The Hosts are people-people, the kind of
person who makes a point of befriending newcomers and locals to Purgatory.
The Host program comprises two teams: Guest Services Hosts and Patrol
Mountain Hosts. Hosts must select one team to volunteer with. Hosts are
scheduled to begin volunteering at the start of December.
Volunteer Hosts are expected to be reliable, outgoing, team-oriented, and
knowledgeable about the resort and the region. They must also be physically
capable of working a full day at altitude in sometimes harsh and challenging
conditions. Mountain Patrol Hosts need to be skilled skiers or snowboarders, and
know how to get around and navigate the mountain safely. They must also wear a
helmet and also always ride in control. Any violations of ski area or Patrol policy
while on duty results in immediate dismissal and loss of season pass.
How to earn a 25/26 Purgatory Winter Season Pass, which is valid at MCP Collective sister resorts
Volunteer a minimum of 14 days = ski/snowboard season pass
4 of the 14 days must be during PEAK Season. Training/Orientation counts as 1 day.
Winter holidays, MLK weekend, Presidents Day weekend, and Spring Break weeks are PEAK volunteer periods.
Additional PERKS for Volunteering
30% off F&B w/ Season Pass
Blackout times may apply
15% off Retail and Rentals w/ Season Pass
Blackout times may apply
HR Volunteer Essentials Card
Maximum of 10 Buddy Passes may be earned by additional volunteering days
Buddy Passes are only valid for the 25/26 Winter Season.
National Ski Patrol Membership
Joining the National Ski Patrol’s “Mountain Host Program” is a requisite for Mountain
Patrol Hosts, carrying an approximate annual membership fee of $80.00. This membership not only enriches your skiing and snowboarding experience but also aligns with our commitment to maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment.
Volunteer Host program 2025/2026
Volunteer Host Commitment
Volunteer Hosts commit to 14 shifts & one training day (counts as a volunteer day). With this, you will be volunteering 4-5 days of your choice per month from mid-December through March. Of which 4 days must be PEAK Season. Winter holidays, MLK weekend, Presidents Day weekend, and Spring Break weeks are PEAK volunteer periods.
Guest Services Hosts
Guest Services Hosts are primarily involved in guest contact and
assistance. Hosts volunteer in the Plaza, shuttle bus Arrival Court, at Columbine
Base, Tickets, Rentals, and on the Beach in the mornings and afternoons. Guest
Services Host start their day with an 8:30 am meeting in the Guest Services Office.
The morning is Plaza and Village Base coverage, helping guests find their way, and
activating their online pass purchases – relieving pressure on the Ticket Office.
Some Hosts may also be assigned to assist with Ski School, at the Columbine
parking lot crossing, or elsewhere as needed. Hosts can also guide on snowshoe
tours and mountain tours.
Mid-day, Guest Services Hosts assist with needed mid-day duties and
responsibilities. Ski/Ride/Lunch Breaks will be designated as day fits.
Hosts proactively interacting with and directing guests as needed, such as resort
information, directions, and day-lockers. Hosts may also at times assist Lift
Operations at the lift lines or unloading ramps, and collect lost & found items from
resort departments.
In the afternoon, all Guest Services Hosts return to assist guests in the
Plaza at 3pm. Hosts also help at the shuttle bus Arrival Court and at the Village
Base.
Patrol Mountain Hosts
Patrol Mountain Hosts assist Purgatory Patrol in their operations. This
includes signage and fencing set up and take down, assisting guests on expert
terrain, and being stationed at various points on the mountain. Helping to remind
guests about the Skier’s Responsibility Code and provide information about the
mountain. The Patrol Host day starts at 7:45am at the Patrol Room at the
Columbine Base. Morning duties begin on the mountain with the Patrol meeting at
the T1 Duty Palace at 8:05am, assisting with set up on the mountain. The day ends
at approximately 5:00pm after signage and fencing take-down or assisting with
mountain sweep after lift closing.
Patrol Mountain Hosts are required to have a current certification in CPR/AED.
(Purgatory offers certification classes in early November at a nominal cost.)
Please note: There is an annual meeting in early November that does not count towards this minimum.
Mountain Patrol Hosting is more physically demanding than Guest Services
Hosting. Patrol Hosts are on their skis or boards most or all day, receive more training, require more physical labor, and work more on a range of duties assisting
Patrollers on the mountain.
Certification for Patrol Hosts
Your safety and the safety of our guests are paramount. Therefore, maintaining a
current certification in CPR/AED is essential. We facilitate this by offering
certification classes in early November, ensuring you’re well-prepared to handle any
situation with confidence and care.
